Netflix's newest drama Stay Close has been hugely popular and won the hearts of fans across the world. But for some viewers, the vague setting has left them with no choice but to stop watching completely.
The series is based on a book by mystery and thriller writer Harlan Coben, which is set in Atlantic City in New Jersey.
But the Netflix adaptation was filmed in the UK and used British actors, far removed from the coastal views of the east coast party town in the US.
The series does not explicitly reveal the location of events - however, fans have deduced that the TV adaption is set in the UK thanks to the landmarks in the background.
Filming took place in and around Manchester, with shooting also taking place in Blackpool and various location across the North of England.
Landmarks including Blackpool’s Central Pier Big Wheel can be seen in the background of several scenes. The Dream Head statue is in St. Helens in Merseyside and the Runcorn Bridge, also known as the Silver Jubilee Bridge, crosses over the River Mersey also make appearances.
In real life all of these landmarks are quite the distance from each other, but in the series they all appear to be very close.
One viewer complained: "Given up Stay Close for now after 2 episodes, completely ridiculous and unbelievable, to say nothing about the random locations around the North West all appearing to be next to each other or a short car ride away. It’s a no from me I’m afraid, I was really looking forward to it".
A second person tweeted: "There’s some big plot holes in 'Stay Close' on Netflix. One of the characters has just driven over the Runcorn bridge, through Blackpool and ended up at The Dream in St Helens. Not buying it."
Two viewers, who both enjoyed the series overall, both said the characters need to invest in a SatNav.
One viewer shared: “Am enjoying #StayClose on Netflix, but concerned how often they cross the Runcorn Bridge to get to Blackpool think they need to check their Sat Nav.”
While a second quipped: “#StayClose on Netflix is an absolutely brilliant watch. However, I’m not having it that the quickest way into ‘town’ (Blatantly Blackpool seafront) is via the Runcorn Bridge. someone get Cassie/Megan a new Sat Nav…gal's been through enough.”
The series' location has been kept vague on purpose, although executive producer Nicola Shindler has explained why the team decided to do so.
"Well, we’re not doing the North of England, we’re doing ‘Somewhere in the UK’. We think it works better to make it more generic," she said.
"We got excited by the faded grandeur of Blackpool when [director] Daniel O’Hara went there and said he could make it really beautiful and really strong.”
“Having that as our Atlantic City is great because there are ways of looking at Blackpool, which has only ever been filmed from the grotty side, that I don’t think have been seen on-screen.
She added: "Daniel has done these massive seafront shots and some of them took like Santa Monica, which is extraordinary because it’s Blackpool.”
Stay Close follows Megan (Cush Jumbo), a working mum of three who finds her life turned upside down when her old ‘friend’ Lorraine (Sarah Parish) finds her.
Lorraine’s arrival also has an impact on Ray (Richard Armitage) a failed photographer looking for a former love, and Broome (James Nesbitt) – a detective obsessed with a case he never managed to solve.
Stay Close is available on Netflix now.
Featured Image Credit: NetflixTopics: TV And Film, Netflix
Gregory Robinson